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Better Information for Better Health Care: The Evidence-based Practice Center Program and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- David Atkins, MD, MPH;
- Kenneth Fink, MD, MGA, MPH; and
- Jean Slutsky, PA, MSPH
Abstract
To provide decision makers with the best available evidence, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality established a network of Evidence-based Practice Centers across North America. The centers perform systematic reviews on important questions posed by partner organizations about clinical, organizational, and policy interventions in health care. The Agency works closely with partners and other decision maker s to help translate that evidence into practice or policy. In this paper, we review important lessons we have learned over the past 7 years about how to increase the efficiency and impact of systematic reviews. Lessons concern selecting the right topics and scope, working effectively with partners, and balancing consistency and flexibility in methods. We examine continuing evolutions of the program and the impact of planned work on comparative effectiveness performed as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.
Article and Author Information
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: Authors of this paper have received funding for Evidence-based Practice Center reports.
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Requests for Single Reprints: David Atkins, MD, MPH, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850; e-mail, datkins{at}ahrq.gov.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Atkins and Fink and Ms. Slutsky: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
